Elaine jones

my husband young man took a stemi heart attack year ago and he’s not the same man he became depressed shouting at me Lodi g his temper being aggressive not sure if medication that’s causing this is the face he had a heart attack

[Taviterry]

That's tough, Elaine. Perhaps your young man is frustrated that he's had a heart problem, especially early in life? Is it limiting his activities? You don't say what medication he's on - do the accompanying leaflets mention ill-temper as a possible side-effect? I'm conscious that I would be awkward to live with- I was before my aortic valve op! There were several cousins who could've kept an eye on me for a few days after it.. There was an attractive lady one who would've been very sympathetic but whom I wouldn't have wanted to see me in a poor state (my male pride!), her father with whom I got on well enough but would soon have found a bit wearing, and her husband whom I knew only slightly. In the end I stayed with a cousin who'd recently retired from our Intelligence Services; I was a bit apprehensive in case I didn't "man up" to any problems in my recovery. He turned out to be a very good choice and I welcomed his pragmatism.

I'm now having problems with anaemia and, practical considerations apart, am almost relieved to be on my own, rather than inflict my groans and moans on others.

[Mentdent]

I wonder if these things are a psychological reaction to stress or if they’re physiological because of some kind of hypoxia induced brain injury during or after the heart attack. It’s a problem that doesn’t seem to be uncommon.

[devonian186 in reply to Mentdent]

I think that would be part of the problem. At a very young age he has found he is not immortal and is vulnerable, in a further blow to male pride. May need some counselling and may need to look at the leaflets regarding his meds to see any side effects.

[SmokeAKipper]

yes some of the Drugs have side affects …make a note of drugs and Google side affects….there are alternatives…also seek therapy for you both

[Andyman]

After my heart attack I had 6 months off then went back to work and found myself shouting at people who irritated me. Well above my normal self. I went along to my doctor's and ask for help with this and was referred to a counsellor. During our 8 1 hour sessions where I spoke and she listened it was determined that I had PTSD as a result of the HA. The talking really help and she suggested I find a Mindfulness course to help me deal with the outbursts. It would seem there were trigger people who would set me off. Mindfulness really did the trick and now I'm able to keep my sudden rise to anger well under control and can feel when a situation will arise and can walk away from it before hand.

It had nothing to do with the medication by the way.

[Simonrainbow in reply to Andyman]

if the HA is severe the chances are that PTSD is playing a part, I also had to have counseling 10 months after my HA but also I was on an anti rejection drug that had depressive side effects.

It’s common to have some form of psychological damage after a near death experience, gently suggest that he’s not alone and YOU would benefit from him getting help pride has nothing to do with it btw!!!!!

[Andyman in reply to Simonrainbow]

Not sure what your trying to say in the second paragraph.

[Zed1063]

I have PTSD and counselling since my HA as it left me in a terrible state -still struggling but getting better - keep going he will improve